The process and procedure under this article shall be as summary and simple as reasonably may be. The county board of education shall have the power, for the purpose of this article, to subpoena witnesses, to administer oaths and to examine such parts of any books and records as relate to the questions involved. Any party to such proceedings may cause to be taken the depositions of witnesses within or without the State and either by commission or de bene esse. Such depositions shall be taken in accordance with and subject to the same provisions, conditions and restrictions as apply to the taking of like depositions in civil actions at law in the court of common pleas, and the same rules with respect to the giving of notice to the opposite party, the taking and transcribing of testimony, the transmission and certification thereof and matters of practice relating thereto shall apply.